Has anyone hunted Clinton lake in central Illinois? I've been looking into hunting the north fork this coming season. My wife runs the trails there with her running club and talks about seeing deer there occasionally. Personally I've never been there, but would love to hear any stories y'all might have about hunting this particular piece of public land. Also if there are any regulations I have to follow, I know you need an anterless before an antlered and you need a parking tag, but otherwise, I know nothing about hunting out there. Thanks!
I have never hunted there before but I heard some good things about the place. I don't know how far it is for you to drive but Dawson lake has some real good hunting there.
I live in champaign, il so its only about a 45minute drive. Not to bad if I wanted to do an evening hunt middle of the week.
Greg, We do alot of bowfishing at Clinton Lake and we see alot of deer there, all you need to do is go to DNR &Clinton Lake Hunter Fact Sheet and it will explain the process needed to hunt at Clinton Lake, you will also need to print out the free site hunting permit from the website. You have a good amount of public huntable ground around you all within about 30 to 40 minutes drive from Champaign / Urbana. Ther is Kickapoo, Middle fork, Kennecuk, Harry babe woodard, Weldon springs piatt county unit, Clinton, Allerton Park* ( *lottery pick bowhunting with required volunteer service only) and Forest Glen Preserve is now open as well.
Yes Iv hunted it they have quite a bit of public land to offer around the lake. I personally know of two deer killed that measured over 180 inches takin from public ground in the last three years.
